Graft uncovered in education ministry

JAKARTA: Police are probing another corruption case in the Ministry of National Education that involves officials in the directorate general of primary and secondary education.

National Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Saud Usman Nasution told reporters on Wednesday that police investigators had questioned director general of primary and secondary education Indra Djati Sidi but so far no suspects have been named in the case, which is believed to have caused Rp 150 billion (US$15.5 million) in losses to the state.

"The case revolves around the provision of mathematics textbooks for primary schools that was funded by the World Bank. Since the case is spread across the country we have asked provincial police to handle their own cases," Saud said.

The police are also investigating a corruption matter in the directorate general of higher education. Three officials have been detained since July 26 in connection with the case. -- JP